Prospects for cattle breeding and husbandry concerning renewable energy sources in the aspect of creating new biogas plants based on natural substrates

As an agricultural country, we have a large substrate potential, opportunities and specialists, thanks to which it is possible to effectively produce biogas and obtain additional income on the farm. As a country, we have a very large substrate potential for biogas production. Currently, there are over 440 biogas plants in Poland, including 170 agricultural ones. Their type and location depend on local conditions, including primarily access to the substrate. At the moment, we are approaching 7 million tons per year of waste substrates used in agricultural biogas plants. There is also a chance for small micro-biogas plants that can produce up to 200,000 m3 of agricultural biogas per year, which in practice corresponds to approx. 50 kWe. In addition, in its case, the assumed electrical power is up to 50 kW + and the thermal power up to 150 kW. The annual net energy production put into use by the investor is 360 MW/h of electricity per year. The substrate can only be mass originating from agricultural activities or the agri-food industry. The micro-biogas plant can be powered by slurry produced by approx. 300 cows. The installation will cover the full demand for electricity, and the surplus produced can be sold. This includes thermal energy (400 MWh for the user's needs). For example, a 44 kW installation is enough to heat two single-family houses. In addition, there is a buffer tank with water that can be used for hygiene purposes. Another important benefit is the valuable fertilizer in the form of digestate, which we can use on our own land, thus reducing the consumption of artificial fertilizers. Food produced today must not only meet the highest quality standards, be produced with respect for animals and in a sustainable, i.e. environmentally friendly, way, but also be as cheap as possible. These are elements that are very difficult to reconcile. - Meanwhile, huge food losses are generated, which reach 168 kg net per capita per year, and together with the production process - 235 kg per capita per year. reduction of methane emissions. Therefore, efforts are being made to improve the efficiency of milk production and increase the productivity of cows, which goes hand in hand with reducing methane emissions per kilogram of milk produced. The average cow produces about 9,000 kg of milk per year. This is a better result than in the case of milk producers in Germany or France. Therefore, there is no turning back from biogas plants, because they can significantly reduce the costs of milk production. The added value is greater care for the environment, which is what consumers expect.